Snack bars - including granola bars, protein bars and cereal bars - are taking up more real estate on grocery and convenience store shelves these days. The global snack bars market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% between 2018 – 2023.

Snack bars that offer health benefits and feature clean labels are one of the fastest growing segments in the market, and food manufacturers are working on formulations that combine nutrition and taste to appeal to a growing number of health-conscious consumers.

There’s concerning data coming out of recent studies that reveals declining consumer trust in food companies. In 2017, 37% of respondents said they “strongly agree” that they trusted the food system, according to a survey by the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). That number dropped to only 25% in 2018.

Those consumer confidence statistics are alarming, yet they represent incredible opportunities for the food industry. Here are ways food manufacturers can engage consumers to build trust in their brands and improve formulations to deliver on their promises.

There are very few grocery stores that don’t have a hot bar or ready-made food section these days. In fact, some grocery stores have even added “grocerants”, where they offer restaurant-quality food in a part grocery store, part restaurant setting. According to a recent consumer survey, more than half of the respondents said they had purchased food at the fresh prepared-food counter of the grocery store before, with prepared foods becoming a $29 billion-a-year business—growing twice as fast as overall grocery store sales.

Meal kits. You’ve probably seen the ads or heard about them from friends…maybe you’ve even tried one. These pre-packed dinner fixings combine fresh with fast – all the ingredients to make a meal, without having to do any of the shopping. And, you can boast that you made the meal because you do all the cooking.

According to the research firm Mintel, 27% of today’s food and beverage products boast high protein content, and 25% of US consumers report consuming more protein than the year before. Why is everyone jumping on the protein bandwagon? Because it gives them the nutrition they’re looking for in a world overrun by junk food.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its final guidelines on menu labeling requirements for chain restaurants—a move that’s been over 6 years in the making. This means, starting on May 5, 2017, chain restaurants with more than 20 locations will be required to display food and beverage calorie counts on their menus, but restaurant owners will have until then to determine the exact nutrition information and make the necessary adjustments to their displays.